Magnetic field sensors and related techniques that can communicate at least one of three or more potential categories in which one or more characteristic values of a proximity signal responsive to a proximity of a sensed object are categorized
US9222990B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/07
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of performing a self-test associated with a magnetic field sensor includes generating a proximity signal responsive to a proximity of a sensed object with one or more magnetic field sensing elements, and identifying one or more characteristic values associated with the proximity signal while the proximity signal is responding to the proximity signal, The method also includes categorizing the one or more characteristic values into three or more potential categories, including three or more categories, wherein the plurality of potential categories is representative of a plurality of discrete self-test states of the proximity signal that could occur while the proximity signal is responding to the proximity of the sensed object. The method also includes communicating at least one of the plurality of potential categories into which at least one of the one or more characteristic values was categorized. A magnetic field senor implements the above method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.